Brits who fight or join rebel training camps in Syria to face life in jail

LOATHSOME: Even fighting against a dictator such as Assad could put Brits in jail [AP]

About 700 Brits are thought to have joined forces with Muslim rebels in the civil war raging in the Middle Eastern country.

Sue Hemming, head of counter-terrorism at the Crown Prosecution Service, said it was a crime to fight in another country, even if it was to topple a “loathsome” dictator such as president Bashar al-Assad.

She said Britons could also face charges for attending rebel training camps and even those yet to depart could be prosecuted if police found evidence that they were planning to fight.

“They will be potentially breaking the law in this country”

Sue Hemming, head of counter-terrorism

Seven British residents, including two women, await trial over charges connected to the Syrian conflict which began in March 2011.

Ms Hemming said: “The message for people who are considering going out there and getting involved in terrorist training or getting involved in the conflict is they will be potentially breaking the law in this country.”

Anyone going to Syria found guilty of breaking Section 5 of the Terrorism Act 2006 would face a potential life sentence, she added, while “lesser” offences carried 10-year terms.

Scotland Yard officers revealed last month that Syria-related terrorism arrests are soaring with 16 so far this year, compared with 24 for all of 2013.